B'NAI B'RITH FORMS BRANCH IN ZAGREB

( Editorial: --> 4037 ) ZAGREB, June 26 (Hina) - The Jewish association B'nai B'rith, whose headquarters is in Washington, has formed its branch in Croatia. Dragan Stern, member of the Zagreb Jewish Community, was elected president of the Croatian branch of B'nai B'rith at the constituent assembly in Zagreb on June 23, the Zagreb Jewish Community said in a statement Friday. The Zagreb branch was named "Gavro Schwartz" by a Zagreb Chief Rabbi who promoted the Jewish education and culture in the period before World War II. The Croatian branch gathers Jews from Zagreb, Osijek, Cakovec, Split and Dubrovnik and will cooperate with the Coordination of Jewish Communities of Croatia and the Zagreb Jewish Community. B'nai B'rith, has been recognised as a non-government organisation by the United Nations and Council of Europe, has its branches in 53 countries. The organisation pays special attention to the education of young people and promotion of science and art. It also cares for the victims of racial, religious and national discrimination and helps the destitute and feeble. A B'nai B'rith branch existed in Zagreb from 1927 to 1940, when it was banned by the Government of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. Most of its members were killed as early as 1941 at the beginning of the German occupation and Ustasha persecution. At the time, B'nai B'rith also had a branch in Osijek. (hina) jn rml 262046 MET jun 98